Noteworthy

Published 9:13 pm, Thursday, December 19, 2013

Photo: Mark J. Terrill

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St. Louis Cardinals' Carlos Beltran, center, is congratulated after scoring during the third inning of Game 5 of the National League baseball championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2013, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) ORG XMIT: NLCS157 less

St. Louis Cardinals' Carlos Beltran, center, is congratulated after scoring during the third inning of Game 5 of the National League baseball championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Wednesday, Oct. ... more

The agreement, reached Dec. 6, was announced by the team Thursday. The eight-time All-Star is to be introduced at Yankee Stadium on Friday.

The 36-year-old played for the Mets from 2005-11, when he was dealt to San Francisco. He signed a $26 million, two-year contract with St. Louis before the 2012 season and reached the World Series for the first time this year.

Slowed by knee injuries, Beltran has retained a potent bat — especially in October. He hit .296 with 24 homers and 84 RBIs for the Cardinals this year and added two homers and 15 RBIs in the postseason. Beltran injured his ribs in the World Series opener when he banged into Fenway Park's right-fight fence while robbing Boston's David Ortiz of a grand slam.

Soccer: Forward Mia Hamm and defender Joy Fawcett were unanimous selections for the U.S. Soccer Federation's All-Time Women's National Team Best XI as part of the governing body's 100th anniversary celebration. Midfielders Michelle Akers and Kristine Lilly were one vote shy of unanimous in balloting announced Thursday. Forwards Abby Wambach and Alex Morgan, and defenderChristie Rampone were the only active players picked. Morgan, at 24, was the youngest. The rest of the team included goalkeeper Briana Scurry; defenders Brandi Chastain and Carla Overbeck; and midfielder Julie Foudy There were 56 voters from among media members, administrators and former players. ... Spain is at the top of the year-end FIFA rankings for the sixth straight year. The United States, the top-ranked team from North and Central America and the Caribbean, remained 14th for the second straight month. The U.S. was 13th in September and October, its highest ranking since July 2010.